Have a bad problem, any input welcome. XK is my daily driver, and is currently disabled.

2002 XKR 100 - R braking package

Tackled the Brembos this weekend - pads, rotors. Had the common issue, the bolts (JTIS: "Anchor bracket to vertical link - bolt") that attach the caliper to the vertical link are really torqued and secured with Loctite.

Got a heavy duty air gun, passenger front side went quickly. Driver's side was a different story - top bolt stripped on the way out. Smashed the first few threads of the bolt when I tried to put it back in by hand, did the same to the other bolt when I was testing the hole.

Never dealt with a stripped bolt before, so I had to study up. Measured the bolt using a pitch gauge and digital calipers - 14mm across the threads, pitch is 1.5. So, think that means I will need a 12.5 tap drill. Bought a tap and die set, but the 12 x 1.5 tap in it is too small, does not bite into the threads.

Have not been able to find a 12.5 x 1.5 tap thus far. Is it time to just bite the bullet and replace that vertical link and bolts? How hard would this be?

Local dealer just quoted me $555 for the vertical link and caliper mounting bolts. Four days to ship.

Sorry for the uninformative thread title, can't figure out how to edit it.

 

visit Standard Metric Bolt Shank Dimensions for bolt sizes. You may be able to use a larger size in metric or US bolt.

 

If it is a M14 size, you can repair it with a helocoil. Then you need to drill out the hole with a 9/16"drill, TAP it and insert the helicoil. Just google ""Helicoil M14 1.5 kit" and you will see plenty.

 

You will find 14 X 1.5 is classed as a 'fine metric thread' and something you will have to buy as a special rather than in a boxed kit, you should get one easily enough on ebay, you are also right thread diameter minus the pitch is the tapping/core size.

If the threads are that bad I would do as avos has suggested rather than go for a new vertical link

 

I know it's too late for Mcbeefsteak, but for anyone reading, I suggest using a long bar to remove tight bolts, air wrenches stress the threads more if they are really tight. I have removed these by soaking with Aerokroil (PB Blaster if no Aerokroil is available) for an hour and then using a three foot breaker bar to slowly loosen the bolts. Heat is also very good for locktite, but is not so good close to the fancy finished aluminum calipers.

 

^+1

 

By the way, I seldom use Helicoils, preferrring Timesert, a much more finished product. Helicoils are much too loose for my taste.

That said, when messing with brakes, I'm not sure I would trust anything but the original threads in the vertical link. I would have to think a few minutes if it would be worth $500 to not have the caliper come loose at some point.

 

Thanks BobF, avos, XKRacer, oldmots. I appreciate the replies, and am duly chastened.

Warning to future readers - be CAREFUL with the caliper bolts, don't be a hamfisted knucklehead. That 900ft/lb air gun is pretty damned macho, but the threads might not stand up to it, and you can hurt the car in the blink of an eye.

Stupid, stupid, today is a day of learning for me. Sometimes force is not the answer.

So, looks like a 14 x 1.5 helicoil and a couple of new bolts will fix me right up.

I will let you know how it goes.

 

Youll need the special shanked caliper bolts not off the shelf ones

 

Such is life!!

I would get the new bolts from Jaguar, must admit I do not bother when I do conversions, I tap the link with standard 14mm thread (2mm pitch) and use high tensile cap heads, good enough to hold the things together, good enough to hold them on, never had a problem in 10years!

One thing I would recommend, when obtaining your helicoils or timeserts, get the named brand, I have seen a few fail, by using cheap chinese knock offs

 

Yeah, just got off the phone with the dealer. Brembo caliper bolts are special order as well, of course. Part # HXD6064EA, $22 each. Interestingly enough, when I google that part number, a few English and a bunch of Russian sites show up. Hmmmm

Looks like it has the loctite already on it:

BRAKE CALIPER BOLT

 

Brit Part... I use them often..... Not sure what they would charge to send to the USA, might work out a bit cheaper but you might have to wait a bit longer

 

$22 each!...your dealer is charging double list price. At Gaudin: http://www.gaudinjaguarparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=searchCatalogOEM&siteid=214626

PN HXD6064EA is $10.76

 

You guys really do seem to get ripped off alot by your main dealers...... $22 did sound a lot for a bolt, thank god you have some decent indy Jaguar suppliers

 

Agree with the pondering - I usually just spend the money right up front myself. This time, though, I think I might see how those timeserts do. Always wanted to do a helicoil, and I just made myself the opportunity.

Looks like the Porsche boys use them - they have caliper issues as well:

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...iper-bolt.html

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ts-update.html

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/g...per-bolts.html

 

Yeah, Park Place Jaguar in Dallas is pretty proud. You should see their place, it's fantastic. They have Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati in that location. It's one of those places that you feel good spending money, like a posh hotel. Each dealership is a little separate shop, all right there together, like a nice little upscale shopping street. I talked to the concierge for 20 minutes when I was looking for records on my car, he was a hell of a nice guy.

So, of course I called Autobahn in Ft Worth and ordered them for $13 from Clarence.

 

Yep. There are some naughty ones. For instance, Dallas Jaguar is premier car dealer, longstanding, nice place. In 2009 Jaguar USA filed a federal lawsuit against them for "... a systematic and pervasive fraud scheme that involved the sales, services and parts departments and has gone to great lengths to conceal their deception...The plaintiff is seeking more than $12 million for two counts of racketeering."

Plano Jaguar dealership accused of warranty and incentive fraud | Southeast Texas Record

This is a microcosm of our car dealers - getting sued by their licensing marque under an organized crime statute .

 

DANG! There goes half of my arsenal. Brute force and ignorance are two of my favorite tools.

Seriously, though, I hope this turns out OK for you.

Mike

 

Does anyone know *which* loctite is originally used on those bolts?

Right on the label of the permanent loctite is "requires heat" to remove.

 

+1

And take your time (oil the tap), and ensure you drill and tap 100% straight.